Learning About Mars

We recently got the movie Roving Mars through our NetFlix service (which we love!). It was an IMAX movie about the two rovers - Spirit and Opportunity that were launched many years ago for a 90 day mission that is still continuing today.

The best part of the movie is when, through a combination of live footage and computer animation, they show how the rocket takes off from Cape Canaveral, jettisons its various stages of booster engines, and flies past the moon. The second part shows the landing module entering the Martian atmosphere, deploying the parachute, inflating the air bags and then bouncing across the planet's surface.

Hudson loves these parts. We have to watch it over and over again and he still gives a running commentary of each stage. He also makes sure that either Mommy or Daddy is watching too. He is so excited about it.

The great thing is that he now knows four planets: Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, and now Mars!